PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jim Smithers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jarkko Ber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smithers comes to the cage accompanied by Metallica - No Leaf Clover. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smithers
vs
Ber

190 cm
28
175 lbs
12 - 9 - 1

180 cm
19
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jim Smithers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jarkko Ber!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ber shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smithers as he avoids it easily.
Ber fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ber shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smithers as he jumps to the side.
Jim Smithers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jarkko Ber.

Smithers instigates a clinch.
Ber has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smithers avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ber fails to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smithers has picked Ber up - he's going for a ride! Smithers dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Smithers is working for a submission of some sort.
Smithers looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithers working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ber on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Smithers wants to free his trapped foot but Ber is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Smithers has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ber regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ber looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smithers is one step ahead there.
Ber will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Smithers drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smithers jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ber working for a triangle but Smithers defends it easily.

Smithers drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ber looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ber looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ber!
Smithers takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Ber trying to control the action but Smithers is working from the bottom.
Ber lands some shots froms side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smithers is trying to improve his position.
Ber controls the position.
Smithers dodges the ground and pound from Ber.
Ber is looking to take a break and control but Smithers is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smithers regains half guard, as Ber was trying to land strikes.
Smithers is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ber scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Smithers blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ber.
Ber thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Smithers is concentrating on defense, preventing Ber from advancing position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ber working over Smithers with some ground and pound. Smithers looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Ber is working for a submission of some sort.
Ber sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smithers defending well though.
Smithers blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ber.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Smithers dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ber shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smithers as he avoids it easily.
Ber shoots in and drives through. Smithers sprawls well.

Smithers is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ber's half guard.
Ber wants to control but Smithers is keeping busy.
Ber is looking to escape.
Ber controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Smithers moves nicely into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithers tries to move to mount but Ber blocks the move with his legs.
Ber tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Smithers is trying to get an arm triangle but Ber is defending well.
Ber is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Smithers's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Ber has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smithers is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Smithers blocks the strikes from Ber.
Ber preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Ber regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Smithers.
Ber trying to control the position.
Ber is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ber not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ber connects with a jab.

It looks like Jim Smithers has been cut.
Ber throws a head kick but Smithers moves out of range.
Smithers checks a leg kick nicely.
Ber fails with the takedown

and Smithers holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Jim Smithers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jarkko Ber.

Smithers is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Ber can't fight it off and eventually Smithers manages to take the fight to the floor. Ber looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ber working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smithers.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smithers postures up.
Smithers missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ber is trying to keep Smithers in close.
Smithers throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Ber looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Smithers scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ber is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ber has his takedown stuffed
and Smithers counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Smithers dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jim Smithers's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ber throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ber tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smithers was well out of range. Poor timing from Ber.
Ber doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Smithers counters with a stiff right hand.
Ber misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smithers tries to clinch up.
Smithers shoots and misses
and Ber counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ber circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smithers is defended easily by Ber.
Ber misses with a takedown attempt

and Smithers counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ber's guard now.

Ber tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ber has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Smithers avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Ber.
Jim Smithers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ber trying to control the position but Smithers is working away.
Ber looking to control but instead Smithers has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Smithers is refusing to be controlled, as Ber sits in half guard.
Ber perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ber has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ber trying to control but Smithers is having none of it.
Ber tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Ber goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Smithers is on top in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jarkko Ber.
Smithers moves in looking to clinch but Ber pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ber tries for a takedown but Smithers circles away easily

and Smithers counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ber won't be happy with that.
Jim Smithers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jarkko Ber.
Smithers wants to control but Ber is keeping him busy.
Ber wants to get back to his feet but Smithers drags him back down.
Ber tries to buck Smithers off but Smithers is having none of it.
Jarkko Ber has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ber throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Smithers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smithers, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jim Smithers!